Submarine life saving system



1931- A. E. WEINGARTNER SUBMARINE LIFE SAVING SYSTEM Filed June 15, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l L 1M 5 jab fl g vga Nov. 10, 1931. A. E. WEINGARTNER SUBMARINE LIFE SAVING SYSTEM Filed June 15, 1-929 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ANTHONY E. WEINGARTNER, OF BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, *ASSIGNOR T0 AMERI- CAN ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORA- TION OF PENNSYLVANIA SUIBMARINE LIFE SAVING SYSTEM This invention relates to improvements in submarines, and the principal object of the invention is to provide novel and practicable means permitting escape of th'eoccupants of the vessel in the event of accident preventing bringing the boat to the Surface of the water in the usual manner.

To this end, the invention contemplates the provision of means whereby the occupants may be passed from the interior of the vessel to the exterior and brought safely to the surface of the water, said means being such that the said occupants are not subjected to the excessive pressures of the water at great depths.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a suitable container for the occupants of the craft with means for ejecting or passing said container from the interior of the vessel without admitting water, said container being such as to support the occupants at the surface of the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container of the stated type which may be completely and hermetically sealed and which has means in the interior for releasing an upper portion to permit escape of the occupants at the surface of the water;

A still further object of theinvention is to provide rescue means as set forth above which shall be effective regardless of the position of the vessel on the floor of the ocean.

"The invention further resides in certain novel structural detailsand features hereinafter set forth and illustrated in the attached drawings, in. which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the center portion of a submarine equipped with alife-saving device made in accordance with my invention;

1 F ig. 2 is a section on the line 22, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 2, showing the vessel in a position which it might. assume on the floor of the ocean following an accident; I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View illustrating details of the apparatus forming the subject of the present invention;

of the parts the line Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of an ele.-

ment of the operating mechanism.

WVith reference to the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the mid section of a submarine. The submarine may accord in all respects to the present standards, but departs therefrom in provision in one or more compartments thereof of one or more ports 1. In the present instance, the submarine is shown as being provided in each of two adjacent compartments with four of these ports, see Figure 1 and the sectional View of Figure 2. In the latter figure, the submarine is shown as comprising. inner and outer shells 2 and 3, the ports 1 constituting in 7 effect cylindrical passages extending through and between theshells. The details of the port construction are best shown in Fig. 4. As therein shown, a cylindrical flanged sleeve 4 is provided between and se cured to the shells 2 and 3, while the outer end of the port is reinforced by a heavy cast collar 5 having an outer flange 6 secured to the outside of the shell 3.and a body portion 7 projecting into the cylindrical sleeve 4. The cylindrical portion 7 is provided with a pairof annular packing members 8 and is adapted for reception of a cylindrical plug 9 which normally seals the port. The plug 9 is prevented from being forced inwardly by external pressure by a plurality of spring or mechanical latches 11 slidably fitted in the inner end of the member'o, these latches being beveled at their'outer ends to provide for their automatic retraction under pressure exerted from the interior of the vessel to permit expulsion of the plugs 9 and of other parts hereinafter described. It will be noted that the outer face of the plug 9 is provided with a circular recess 12, while the inner end of the plug is provided with transverse crossed flanges 13, the outer edges of which are notched or recessed as indicated at 1 1 for reception of thelatches 11 and whose lower edges are also recessed as indicated at 15 for purposes hereinafter set forth.

in the form of device illustrated in Fig. 4,

the port is provided at its inner end and at opposite sides with a pair of brackets 16 secured to the shell 2 and to the sleeve 4 as illustrated, which brackets are provided with threaded bosses 17 for reception of the ends of a pair of threaded bolts 18 which project from said sockets towards the interior of the vessel and which are in substantial alignment with the longitudinal center line of the port 1. The threaded members 18 are detachable from the sockets 17 at will. In conjunction with the members 18, I provide a carriage 19 having at opposite sides thereof and supported in suitable bearings for free rotation a pair of worm wheels 21 which are adapted to be threaded on the members 18. The two worms are actuated through the medium of a shaft 22 on which are fixed worms 23 which respectively mesh with the worm wheels 21, the shaft 22 being journaled in suitable bearings in the under part of the member 19 and having at each end a hand wheel 21 by means of which the shaft may be rotated. Rotation of the shaft in this manner results in an advanced or retractive movement of the carriage 19 on and between the threaded members 18. The carriage 19 constitutes a support for a casing 25, this casing, the details of which are shown in Fig. 5, being cylindrical in form and of sufficient length to hold a man in upright position.

As shown in Fig. 5, the casing is made up of aplurality of sections numbered for convenience 26, 27, 28 and 29. The base section 28 is closed at the bottom and has a reduced extension 31, the purpose of which will be set forth hereinafter. This base section 26 also has in the interior a false bottom 32 which forms in the bottom of the section a chamber 33 having port 3 1 controlled by a valve 35 which project-sinto the upper chamber. In the present instance, this valve is shown as actuatable by a lever 36 adapted to be opened by the foot of one occupying the casing and being normally closed. The upper open end of the section26 is threaded for reception of the lower end of the section 27, the joint being such as to provide a hermetic seal and the upper portion of the section 27 is similarly threaded for cooperation with the lower threaded end of the section 28. The top of the section 28 is closedby; the, top

cylindrical sections, these sections having P inwardly abutting flanges 37 which are securely held together by bolts 38 each provided in the present instance with a wing nut 39. By releasing these nuts 39, the occupant of the casing may easily force away the two halves of the section '28 and the top section 29, thereby leaving the upper end of the section -27 open and permitting escape. The casing is so designed, however, that with the upper sections 28 and 29 removed, the lower portion of the casing will float on the surface of the water in an upright position. Oxygen or compressed air may be introduced into the chamber 33 through a port 41 in the false bottom 32, which port is normally closed by aplug as illustrated. If for any reason it is necessary forone to remain sealed in the casing for any length of time, the oxygen or fresh air in thechamber 33 may be allowed to pass into the main casing chamber by actuation of the valve 35, as set forth above, and a pressure relief valve 42 is provided in the top section 29 to maintain the pressure within the casing at a predetermined point.

It will be noted that the upper end of the section 29 is provided with a cylindrical extension which fits neatly within the recesses 15 in the lower edges of the flanges 13 of the plug 12, which closes the port 1, whereby when the carriage 19 is moved upwardly by actuation of the shaft 22 as described, the upper end of the casing is accurately centered with respect to the port 1. The outer diameter of the casing 25 is the same as that of the plug 12 so that when the upper end of the casing 25 is brought into contact with the inner side of the plug 9 and pressuregis exerted through the carriage 19 and associated mechanism, the plug will be forced outwardly past the latches 11 and will be immediately replaced by the casing itself, which maintains the port 1 closed during its outward movement.

In the normal assembly shown in Fig. l, the lower end of the casing 25 is supported on a plug 9a which is the counterpart of the plug 9 shown closing the port 1, and it will be noted that the lower extension 31 of the bottom section 26 of the casing fits neatly within the socket 12 corresponding to the recess 12 of the plug 9 which is provided for that purpose whereby the plug 9a-is held in accurate coaxial relation with the cylinder 25. The various corresponding parts of the plugs 9 and 9a have been designated by the same reference numerals as previously applied to the plug 9. Also in the assembly shown in Fig. 4, the plug 9a rests upon. a pedestal element 43 which in the present instance rests in suitable socket in the carriage 19 and which permits movement of the plug 9a into the position of the plug 9 whereby the port 1 is effectively closed following the expulsion of the casing 25. It will be noted that the outer part of the port 1 in the member 5 is slightly flared so that when the plug 9a reaches the normal port-closing position, the casing 25 is free to move upwardly in the water by reason of its own buoyancy.

In normal operation of the device as set forth above, it may be assumed that following an accident the submarine is lying on its side on the ocean floor such for example as shown in Fig. 3. Regardless of the position of the submarine, it will be apparent that at least one of the ports 1 will be in position rendering it available for the purpose of expelling the casing 25. Initially, the threaded bolts 18 are screwed into their sockets 17, after which the bevel wheels 21 are threaded onto-the lower end of the shafts, thereby bringing the carriage 19 into operative position on the members 18. Thereafter, the pedestal member 43 and the plug 9a are placed in position upon the carriage and one or more of the casings 25 assembled with men in the interior. One of the casings is then placed in position on the plug 9aand the hand wheels 24 actuated to bring the top of the casing into engagement with the inner end of the plug 9, thereafter to move the casing upward- 1y to first displace the plug 9, and thereafter to force the casing through and from the port 1. Before the casing 25 is released, however, the plug 9a moves into position closing the port 1, and is eventually brought to the position of the plug 9, as shown in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the carriage 19 is backed downwardly on the bolts 18 to a retracted position and a second casing with a. second substitute plug placed in position thereon for a repetition of the operation.

In Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically three positions of the parts in the operation set forth above. Fig. 6 shows the initial starting position; Fig. 7 shows the casing partly discharged, and Fig. 8 shows the casing completely discharged and the substitute plug in position again closing the port 1. The original plug 9 is indicated as loose following displacement by the casing.

In Fig. 9, I have illustrated a modification of the apparatus in which the mechanical means for forcing the casing outwardly through the port is replaced by hydraulic mechanism adapted for the same purpose. In this instance, an inner pressure cylinder 45 is provided which may be secured by bolts 46 to the inner end of the port member 5, suitable gaskets 47 being provided between these parts to form a sealed joint therebetween. In this instance, the spring latches 11 are mounted in recesses in the upper end of the cylinder member 45. The inner di' ameter of the cylinder 45 is only sufliciently larger than the outer diameter of the easing 25 to provide a working fit whereby when hydraulic pressure is applied to the bottom of the cylinder, as hereinafter set forth, the casing 25 in the interior of the cylinder is forced outwardly, first displacing the plug 9 and then itself being forced through the port 1. The lower end of the cylinder 45 is closed by a head 50 which is hinged to the cylinder at 47 in the present instance and which is held in the closed position bya bolt 48. The cylinder is of sufficient length to receive the casing 25 and also the substitute plug 9a as illustrated. It-will be noted that the projecting flanges 13 of the plug 9a provide a space in the bottom of the cylinder into which the hydraulic fluid maybe forced under the plug 9a. This space is connected through a pipe 49 with the discharge side of a suitable pump 51, which is actuated in the present instance by an electric motor 52. A pipe 53 extends from the outside ofthe outer shell 3 of the submarine to the intake side of the pump-51, the pipe 53 being controlled by a hand valve 54 in the interior of the vessel. A pump ofthe Hele-Shaw type will be found entirely adequate for the purpose. The upper end of the cylinder 45 isprovided with a port 55 which is connected with the interior of the vessel through a check valve 56 which permits air to enter the cylinder when the pump 51 is reversed to expel the fluid from the interior of the cylinder 45 following ejection of the cylinder 25 and in preparation of the apparatus for ejection of another of the cylinders.

In the modi ication shown in Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, the inner and outer shells of the submarine are designated, as in the previous modifications, by the reference numerals 2 and 3. In this instance, a substantially cylindrical chamber 60 is formed between the shells in such positions that both ends-may open to the exterior of the vessel, the ends of the chamber normally being closed by closure members 61, 62, which are respectively pivoted on shafts 68 and 64 journaled on the outer side of the outer shell 3 of the submarine. Each of these shafts carries a worm wheel 65 which may be oper ated from the interior of the submarine through the medium of worms 66 carried on shafts 6'? which extend through the outer and inner shells of the vessel. A socket wrench 68 is provided in the present instance to turn these shafts, 67 in the interior of the vessel. Provision is made for clamping the doors 61 ano 62 in the chamber-closing positions from the interior of the chamber, this taking the form in the present instance of clamping spiders 71 which are adapted to bear against internal shoulders in the ends of the cylindrical chamber 60, as illustrated,

and to be secured to the innersides of the door 61 by means of studs 72 on the latter which in assembly project through aperture in the spider 71 and receive at their inner ends nuts which bear against the inner face of the spiders.

Access to the interior of the chamber or chambers may be had from the interior of the vessel through door plates 73 which are substantially the same in width and height as the corresponding dimensions of the chamber 60. These door plates 73 are preferably hinged at one side, as indicated at 74, and are held in the closed position by means of hinged studs 75 which engage slotted flanges 76 on the door. Bolt clamps 77 are also provided at the top and bottom as illustrated. The doors 73 are also provided at both top and bottom with a valved port 78 for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

Each of the chambers 60 is connected through a pipe 81 with an aid pump in the interior of the vessel whereby air may be forced under pressure into the chamber, the pipe 81 containing a check valve 82 which prevents back-flow of the air from the compartment. Each of the compartments is also connected through a pipe 83 with the exterior of the vessel, the respective pipes 83 being provided with valves 84, 84.

In this instance, a waterproof container 25-similar to those previously described is employed, into which one of the occupants of the vessel may be placed, the container 25 then being inserted into the chamber 60, as illustrated. A guide element 85 is carried on the interior of each of the doors 73, insuring a proper alignment of the container 25 within the chamber. Following insertion of the container 25 and the clamping of the door 73 in the closing position, water is admitted to the chamber through the pipe 83, the air within the chamber being displaced through one or other of the valved pipes 78 into the interior of the vessel. lVhen the chamber is completely filled with water and he valved pipe 7 8 closed off, one or other of the cove-rs 61 or 62, whichever is the top, is opened through the shaft 67, thereby permitting the container 25 to rise from the chamber by its own buoyancy. Before insertion of the container 25, it will be apparent that the inner clamp 71 of the closure is removed to permit opening of the closure as described. Following escape of the container 25, the closure is again brought to its seat and air under pressure admitted to the chamber through the pipe 81 to force the water from the chamber through the pipe 83 to the exterior of the vessel. Following removal of the water in this manner and closing of the valve 8-l to prevent re-entrance 0f the water to the chamber, the cover plate 73 may be removed to permit insertion of another of the containers 25, the circle then being completed.

This device constitutes in eifectjan air lock for passing the containers through the side walls of the submarine, advantage being taken in this instance of the natural buoyancy of the container to cause it to leave the chamber. By arranging the chamber as illustrated so that both ends thereof are available for the discharge of the container 25, the chamber is available in reverse positions of the submarine and does not depend for operativeness upon a given position of the lat ter. By having several of these locks distributed in spaced relation around the circumference of the submarine,'it will be apparent that one will always be available for use regardless of the position that the submarine may assume.

I claim:

1. A submarine vessel comprising a port, an outwardly displaceable plug normally closing said port, a substitute plug, means for forcing said substitute plug outwardly to displace the first-named plug and to replace said plug in closing the port, and a hollow cylinder having substantially the same diameter as said plug and adapted to be forced through said port in advance of the replacing plug, said cylinder, being effective to seal the port during transit therethrough.

2. The combination with a submarine vessel having a port in an outer wall thereof, an outwardly displaceable plug normally sealing said port, means preventing inward displacement of said plug by external pressure, said means being retractible to permit movement outwardly through said port, a hollow cylinder corresponding in diameter with said plug, means for forcing said cylinder outwardly in coaxial relation with said plug whereby the latter is displaced from the port and is replaced in the port-sealing function by said cylinder, and a replacement plug adapted to be forced into said port iafter the cylinder to replace the latter and to maintain the port closed.

3. In a safetydevice for submarine vessels, the combination with a wall construction providing a cylindrical port from the interior to the exterior of the vessel, a cylindrical plug accurately fitting said port and normally closing the latter, a hollow cylindrical casing also accurately fitting said port, said cylinder being adapted to be closed and opened from the interior thereof, a second cylindrical plug adapted to accurately said port, and means for exerting pressure from the interior of the vessel to displace the first-named plug by the casing, and for thereafter displacing the casing by the second plug whereby the casing'is expelled through said port while the port is maintained closed at all times.

l. In a safety device for submarine vessels,

a container consisting of an'elongated cylindrical shell having a detachable upper section divided longitudinally with releasable means in the interior of said section for retaining the parts thereof together.

5. In a safety device for submarine vessels, a container consisting of an elongated. cylindrical shell having a detachable upper section adapted to be threaded to the body of the container, said top section being divided'longitudinally, with releasable means in the interior of said section for retaining the parts thereof together.

6. In a safety device for submarine vessels, a container consisting of a plurality of cylindrical sections threaded together longitudinally, and means in the interior of the container for separating an upper section to permit escape of an occupant of the container. v

7. In a safety device for submarine vessels, a container consisting of an elongated cylindrical shell having a detachable upper section divided longitudinally with releasable means in the interior of said section for retaining the parts thereof together, and means operative only when said parts are held together for clamping the said upper section to the body of the container.

8. In a safety device for submarine vessels, the combination with a wall construction including a cylindrical chamber having ports opening both interiorly and exteriorly of the vessel, closures operative from the interior of the vessel to open and close the ports as required, a cylindrical container adapted to neatly fit within the chamber and insertable through the said interior port, a valved pipe system connecting the inner end of the chamher with the exterior of the vessel, and pumping means in said system for injecting water under pressure into the chamber to expel the container through the outer port and to reverse the flow from the chamber to the exterior of the vessel when the outer port is closed.

9. In a safety device for submarine vessels, the combination with a wall construction including a cylindrical chamber having ports opening both interiorly and exteriorly of the vessel, closures operative from the interior of the vessel to open and close the ports as required, a cylindrical container adapted to neatly fit within the chamber and insertable through the said interior port, a valved pipe system connecting the inner end of the chamber with the exterior of the vessel, pumping means in said system for injecting water under pressure into the chamber to expel the container through the outer port and to reverse the flow'from the chamber to the exterior of the vessel when the outer port is closed, and a check valve for admitting air to the chamber from the interior of the vessel as the water is withdrawn.

10. In a safety device for submarine ves- I pelled from the vessel.

sels, the combination with a wall construc tion including a cylindrical chamber having ports opening both interiorly and exteriorly of the vessel, a plug secured in said exterior port and normally closing the latter, a closure for the interior port of said chamber, a plurality of complementary sections and means for securing said sections together longitudinally to form, a cylindrical'container adapted for insertion within the chamber through said interior port, a second plug adapted for insertion in the chamber behind the container, said plug being adapted to. neatly fit within the chamber and within the outer port thereof whereby the said plug is adapted to replace the firstnamed plug as a closure for said outer port, and means for applying fluid pressure to the inner end of said chamber to force the inner plug outwardly into a position within and closing the outer port whereby the firstnamed plug and the said container are ex- 11. In a safety device forsubmarine vessels, the combination with a wallconstruction including a cylindricalchamber-having ports opening both interiorly and exteriorly of the vessel, a plug secured in said exterior port and normally closing the latter, a. closure for the interior port of said chamber, a cylindrical container adapted for insertion within the chamber through said interior port, a sec ond plug adapted for insertion in the cham ber behind the container, said plug being adapted to neatly fit within the chamber and within the outer port thereof whereby the said plug is adapted to replace the first named plug as a closure for said outer port, and means for applying fluid pressure to the inner end of said chamber to force the inner plug outwardly into a position within and closing the outer port whereby the firstnamed plug and the said container are expelled from the vessel, said container neatly fitting within the said chamber whereby the said chamber is continuously sealed to prevent passage of fluid between the walls of the chamber and the container.

12. In a safety device for submarine vessels. the combination with a wall construction including a cylindrical chamber having ports opening both interiorly and exteriorly of the vessel, a plug secured in said exterior port and normally closing the latter, a closure for the interior port of said chamber, a plurality of complementary sections and means for securing said sections together in longitudinal relation to form a cylindrical container adapted for insertion within the chamber through said interior port, at least one of said sections being displaceable from the interior I of the container, a second plug adapted for insertion in the chamber behind the container, said plug being adapted to neatly fit within the chamber and within the outer port thereof whereby the said plug is adapted to replace the first-named plug as a closure for said outer port, means for apply- 7 ing fluidpressure to the inner end of said chamber to force the inner plug outwardly into a position within and closing the outer port whereby the first-named plug and the said container are expelled from the vessel, and means for preventing inward displace- 10 ment of the said plug from the outer port by external pressure.

13. In a submarine safety device, the combination with a wall construction comprising a cylindrical chamber, the walls of said cham- 5 her being recessed 'for reception of packing elements, a smooth-faced cylindrical plug adapted for insertion within the chamber, said plug neatly fitting within the said chamher and forming with said packing elements an effective seal preventing passage or fluid through the port, a smooth-faced cylindrical container adapted to displace the said plug from the interior of the vessel and also fitting 7 neatly within the said chamber whereby an effective fluid seal is formed between the casing and the walls of the chamber, and means for applying fluid pressure to the chamber to discharge the said container therefrom.

ANTHONY E. WEINGARTNER. 

